Arceneaux was born to a large Creole family based in Carencro, Louisiana. Arceneaux first picked up his brother-in-law"s accordion as a child and learned to play by copying his father, Ferdinand Arceneaux, who was a Creole musician whom he backed at local house parties.
By the 1960s, Arceneaux had switched to guitar in his rock and roll group Fernest and the Thunders. Not until the late 1970s, at the behest of his hero Clifton Chenier, did Arceneaux return to the accordion. His group began recording and touring heavily, particularly in Europe.
Arceneaux earned the title "The New Prince of the Accordion" for his virtuostic playing.
Arceneaux also developed his career with his band Hot August Knights, which included saxophonist John Hart, one of the pillars of the sound of Clifton Chenier. His major hit records are the albums Creole Cruiser and Hot Sauce, both published on the label Black Top.
